Search form

Representing the 8th District of New Jersey

You are here

Foreign Affairs

I believe that basic human rights and fundamental freedoms must be upheld and respected around the world, in every nation and in every community. No child should have to suffer simply because of where he or she was born. I also believe that poverty is one of the root causes of extremism around the globe. The United States must be a leader in the international arena through investments in diplomacy, economic and social development, political stability, and democratic representation. In addition, our international policies must be part of our comprehensive national security strategy. In order to ensure security at home, we must address the root causes of extremism by fostering development and freedom abroad.

Foreign Affairs Committee

I am proud to be a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. As a committee, we must create an overarching strategy that complements our existing programs and ensures they fit with the democratic and humanitarian goals and ideals of the United States.

As Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, I strive to strengthen relations with our neighbors in the Hemisphere in order to ensure prosperity. It is an honor to serve as the lead Democrat on a Subcommittee that oversees a portion of the world that is not only strategically critical for our foreign agenda, but a part of the world that is deeply personal to me and many of my constituents. The Subcommittee in Western Hemisphere has jurisdiction over issues pertaining to the countries in South America, North America, and the Caribbean.

I am also a member of the Subcommittee on Europe, Eurasia, and Emerging Threats. This Subcommittee has jurisdiction over matters affecting the relations between the United States and countries in the region.

Global Health

Each year, millions of people throughout the world are left to suffer without the necessary health care, education, and basic freedoms. It is unacceptable that every year millions of lives are lost due to infectious diseases, malnutrition, and complications of pregnancy and childbirth, and it is unacceptable that thousands of people are threatened, attacked, and silenced simply for standing up for what they believe. I am a strong supporter of assistance that fosters stable governments that provide essential services and respect human rights. That is why I introduced H.R. 1660, the Global Health Innovation Act of 2017. This bill would help to address health care needs around the world and reduce the threat of pandemic diseases. H.R. 1660 passed the House of Representatives and now awaits further action in the Senate.

I believe that the United States is a global leader and should act as such. To promote global security and global prosperity, we must support our basic tenants of opportunity, human rights, and democracy to foster genuine relationships with international actors. I have been a strong advocate for the use of our foreign assistance as an integral part of our overall national security strategy and foreign policy.

More on Foreign Affairs

Last week in Washington, the House passed a damaging Farm Bill, I introduced a resolution honoring victims of the Katyn Massacre, and the House Foreign Affairs Committee marked up several bills relating to the Peace Corps, anti-semitism, the massacre of Rohingya in Burma, and genocide. Additionally, I met with several groups from the District and around the country.

While in Washington this week, I listened to experts discuss the Iranian challenge at a Foreign Affairs hearing, and considered several bills related to security assistance and countering foreign propaganda. Additionally, I met with groups from the 8th District and national organizations and reacted to President Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Iran Deal.

WASHINGTON – Today the House passed H. Res. 835, a resolution introduced by Reps. Albio Sires (D-NJ), Virginia Foxx (R-NC), Michael McCaul (R-TX), and Nita Lowey (D-NY). The resolution calls for all nations to enter into robust diplomatic relations with Israel upon its 70th year of statehood. It also highlights Israel’s recent advances in diplomacy and affirms the importance of diplomatic recognition of the nation in multilateral fora globally.

(Washington D.C.) – Today, Congressman Sires participated in a House Foreign Affairs Committee markup of several bills relating to global development, international security assistance, countering foreign propaganda, and continued support to Israel.

(Washington, DC) – Rep. Albio Sires (D-NJ), Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee released the following statement in response to the announcement that President Trump is unilaterally withdrawing from the Iran Nuclear Agreement, also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA):

Last week in Washington, I marked up several bills in the Foreign Affairs Committee, attended a Foreign Affairs hearing on the Middle East, and discussed updates on the Balkans at a Europe and Eurasia Subcommittee hearing. I also met with numerous groups this week and cosponsored legislation to restore the National Park System and urge the firing of Scott Pruitt.

(Washington, D.C.) – Reps. Albio Sires (D-NJ), Virginia Foxx (R-NC), Michael McCaul (R-TX), and Nita Lowey (D-NY) introduced H. Res. 835 yesterday, a resolution supporting robust bilateral relations with the State of Israel globally and fairness in its treatment in multilateral fora upon seventy years of statehood. The resolution highlights Israel’s recent advances in diplomacy, urges support for its bid for the United Nations Security Council and affirms the diplomatic recognition that America’s strategic ally deserves.

While in Washington last week, the Republicans introduced a hypocritical amendment to balance the budget which would have devastated the American economy. I also attended a Foreign Affairs Hearing on funding for the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), a Transportation and Infrastructure markup, and held a number of meetings.